Officials in Louisiana say California’s ban on alligators—at least products made from the big-jawed beasts—is harming business. They insist anti-gator laws will hurt an important state industry. They also claim the laws will result in damage to the state’s wetlands.

American alligators can grow up to 15 feet long. Some weigh nearly 1,000 pounds. These behemoths dwell in swamps and marshy areas from North Carolina to Texas. Ferocious predators, they can move and lunge quickly, often killing and eating smaller prey with a single bite.

God made gators with beady eyes, broad jaws, and really big, sharp teeth! That makes them seem scary. But God also gave alligators an important role. The scaly brutes actually benefit southern wetlands. They dig holes in swampy ground. These “alligator holes” provide homes for creatures such as fish, snakes, and turtles. The biodiversity keeps swampy habitats in balance.

Since the early 1800s, people have made fancy boots, shoes, and saddles from durable alligator skins. They also used alligator oil to grease early engines. Because of unchecked hunting, the gator population dropped. Some people worried about what would happen to the swamps and marshes without alligators.

In the 1960s, efforts to save alligators began. Hunting limits went into place, and alligator numbers increased. Today, the population is large enough for reasonable harvesting. Folks in the Bayou State now harvest about 300,000 gators per year. This keeps the population under control while providing income for residents. Gator skins are sold for clothing and furnishings, and restaurants serve gator as a lean, white meat option alongside chicken and fish.

Some conservationists, especially in California, object to the controlled hunting. According to The Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate, California banned alligator skins and meats in the 1970s. But the state kept granting exceptions, and sales continued. This year, however, California says it will no longer allow the sale of any alligator products in the state.

Louisiana is filing a lawsuit over the ban. The suit claims that Louisiana’s gator sales have revived the alligator population—not harmed it. Furthermore, they say alligator businesses pay private landowners to help protect the state’s wetlands. The suit says loss of income from California could force landowners “to greatly reduce or cease their erosion control efforts.”

California’s huge economy often means that its product standards impact other states. Louisiana claims the ban harms its business. Already, the price of alligator hides is dropping. That’s forcing gator farmers to stop spending. If other states follow California’s lead, gators and wetlands could really suffer.

Slideshow

An alligator rests in Everglades National Park. Louisiana is suing California over that West Coast state's decision to ban the import and sale of alligator products. (AP)

A two-year-old alligator is held by a tourist just north of Everglades National Park. (AP)

An alligator prowls the waters in the Big Cypress National Preserve in Florida. (AP)

A baby alligator rests atop an adult in a swamp. The economy surrounding alligators has helped revive “protection wetlands” like this one. (AP)

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alligator ban!

I think it was a wonderful choice to ban alligators. Most people are afraid of alligators and may not be happy about this new ban, but alligators are valuable to the food chain. If they were to go extinct, the food chain might collapse. While it is true that they could get overpopulated, they help to keep fish and other animals from getting overpopulated! I am personally thrilled with this new law and I hope it stays around.

@ Sam M

@Sam M

I think this is a very interesting article and as the article says, this could impact other states. Many people in this site would be offended that you used the last word in your comment. Please do not use it on WorldTeen again.
You could ask your mom if she will let you listen to The Briefing, a daily analysis of news and events from a Christian worldview. Many of the topics the host, Albert Mohler, deals with are not suitable for young ages, so please get your mom's permission before you listen to it.

Treion

Just another opinion.

I agree with Beth G! I have seen a crocodile I think but not an alligator (in a zoo).
Also I think we should just ignore Sams comments instead of getting offended and being rude. Not saying that anyone was necessarily being rude but..... it could always happen.
Also (again) has anyone ever seen the show Dynasties? It’s a great animal show. It’s a little violent so anyone who’s super sensitive to that kind of thing shouldn’t prob watch them lol. My sister cried on one of them (granted she is 8).

@ N A

Yeah. just did a quick google search and California banned ALL exotic animal skins except for religious uses. I feel like California is always the first to
allow new things and first to ban things. California government can also be pretty sketchy sometimes. but that's just my opinion and you can disagree.

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